Hi all! I’m new to coffee but eager to learn. One issue I’m facing is grind size. I’m not sure if I should be dialing based on yield & time or taste.

For context, I have a Breville Barista Pro.

Most videos and blogs say, as a general guide, to get 1:2 yield between 25-30 seconds. They advise to keep the weight going in constant while only changing the grind size until you reach the right yield and time. I find that this method often leads to making utterly bitter/sour coffee. Any changes after (e.g., dosage, yield, temperature) still result in continued bitterness/sourness.

I also heard another theory @ 7:44: first change grind for taste then make other tweaks. However, after getting the right taste (not perfect but not unbearable), changing the weight for the right yield and time makes the coffee taste bitter/sour again.

I’m confused and would really appreciate your help in reaching the perfect sweetness/balance. Thanks!